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Sketch of Michael Cosgrove.” 


THIRD WARD. 
DIX HILL STATE HOSPITAL, 


RALEIGH, N. C. 


January 8, 1906. 


I, MicuHarn COSGROVE, was born in the year 
1850, at Ballybroney, County Mayo, Ireland. 

My father’s name was Michael Cosgrove; my 
mother’s maiden name was Mary Ferguson. 

When I was about two years old my parents 
moved to Crossmolina, lived there about six 
weeks and then moved to Greenwood, where my 
father got to be herd, or shepherd, for Major 
Knox. 

When we lived at Greenwood there were three 
of us children—one older and one younger than 
myself—all boys. After we moved to Green- 
wood, there were three more children born to 
my parents—two boys and one girl. My oldest 
brother died when about seventeen years of age, 
also one of my younger brothers when about 
four years of age; so my parents raised four 
children—three boys and one girl. I and sister 
are the only ones living at the present time. 
My sister lives in St, Louis, Mo. 

I was the first one of the family to leave Ire- 
land; I left in 1868, then eighteen years of age. 
I stole away from my parents and went to Eng- 
land—it was in the month of March. I took 
shipping at Sligo, which is about forty-two miles 
from Greenwood; I landed in Liverpool, Hng- 





Z SKETCH OF 


land. In a short time after I landed in Eng- 
land I got a job with a farmer by the. name of 
Mr. Rutter, a very fine man, who lived about 
twenty-four miles from Liverpool. I worked 
there about seven weeks; work got scarce, so I 
went farther up into Hngland, something over 
one hundred miles. I traveled on foot all the 
time and looked for work all along. Finally I 
got a job on another farm—I had made up my 
mind to not work anywhere but on the farm—I 
worked there until Christmas, and then I went 
home to Ireland. 

I remained with my parents until March, then 
IT went back to Hngland to the man I last 
worked for, whose name was William Cook, 
Bluff Collingham, near Newark, Nottingham- 
shire, England. I worked there until Christmas 
1869, then I went back home to Ireland and 
worked for my parents the next year, 1870. 

My younger brother, Patrick, went to Eng- 
land that year and worked for the same man I 
had worked for—Mr. Cook. He came the next 
Christmas. 

On March 2, 1871, I sailed from Liverpool for 
America, and landed in New York on March 17— 
St. Patrick’s Day. I came over on the National 
Line of steamers; the steamer’s name I came 
on was “The Holland.” There was a young man 
by the name of Francis Walsh that came along 
with me. We both went to Scranton, Pa. I 
stopped at Scranton and went to work in the 
iron works. Walsh went on to Carbondale, 
which was about twenty miles from Scranton, as_ 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. 3 


he had an uncle living there by the name of 
John Walsh. But I had no friends that I knew 
of, although I had several cousins, also two 
uncles, that came to this country, but I did not 
know where they lived at that time. 

After working at the iron works for a few 
weeks I was thrown out of employment, as the 
iron works closed down. Then I went to Car- 
bondale, where I met my comrade, Francis 
Walsh. He and I boarded at the same place, 
John Walsh’s (his uncle). I went to work on a 
new railroad which was being built from Scran- 
ton to Carbondale. I worked on the railroad for 
a few months, then I went to work in the coal 
mines, worked there until about September 1st. 

My first cousin, James Gainley, who had been 
peddling in this country for a few years, wanted 
me to go with him, so I went. He had a part- 
ner who was waiting at this time for him in 
Harrisburg, Pa. They had alrealy planned to 
go South, so we all went together, 

My cousin wrote to Brice & Johnson, 321 
Broome Street, New York, and got me $18.00 
worth of goods. When the goods came, Cousin 
James and myself started on foot from Scranton 
to Harrisburg; we traveled a few days together 
and then parted, ‘but met at Harrisburg. We 
met Peter McGovern here, so we three started 
South. First, we came to Gettysburg, Pa., then 
to Washington, D. C. We would meet on every 
Saturday and separate on Monday morning. Or- 
dered new goods every week—times were good 
then and we sold out nearly every week. From 


4 SKETCH OF 


Washington we came to Charlottesville, Va., 
from there to Lynchburg, Va., then to Danville, 
Va., from there to Greensboro, N. C., then Salis- 
bury ; from Salisbury we went to Charlotte, from 
which place we would route in and out between 
Salisbury until after Christmas. 

When we all separated I went to Wadesboro, 
from there I went to Lumberton, then I came to 
Goldsboro, from Goldsboro I went to Raleigh. 
I routed it in and out to Raleigh until my 
cousin, James Gainley, met me in the Spring of 
1872, in the month of March. We both traveled 
South, meeting each other every Saturday, until 
we came to Marion, S. C. We bought a lot in 
Marion—expecting to settle there—for $700.00. 
We found the people so nice there, kind and 
friendly, that we thought we would make Mar- 
ion our home. But we both went North in the 
summer, and Cousin James did not come South 
the next winter. He gave the lot up to me. I 
decided I would rather live in North Carolina 
than in Marion, S. C., so I settled in this State 
instead. But I still held on to the lot until 
after I got married in ’78, then I sold the lot 
for $800.00. 

When I came South in ’72 I never went North 
any more until ’75, when I went back to Ire- 
land, I traveled most of my time in North Caro- 
lina as I always liked the people and they all 
seemed to like me wherever I became acquainted. — 

I sold lots of goods at a pretty fair profit. i 
was getting along all right until the Fall of ’74, 
when I lost my health and was obliged to stop 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. 5 


traveling. During my illness I stopped with an 
Irishman by the name of John Johnson, in Rich- 
mond County, about six miles north of Laurin- 
burg. This was about Christmas 1874. I stop- 
ped there until March, 1875, and did not seem to 
get any better. I had a doctor from Laurinburg 
to attend me; he seemed to do me very little 
good. The ailment settled in the back of my 
neck and head and shoulders. I suffered a great 
deal; I made up my mind that there was no cure 
for me but death. 

One night a thought came to me, that if the 
Lord would spare me I would return to Ireland 
and perform some Stations of the cross in the 
church. I had about $2,000.00 saved up by this 
time that I had made since I came to North 
Carolina. 

There was a place in Ireland called Kilcom- 
ming, where the people around there would go 
on a certain Sunday of each year to perform the 
Stations of the Cross. This place was about six 
miles from where my parents lived. It was in 
the month of July that those people went to Kil- 
comming to perform the Stations; it was called 
the Holy Well for some reason or other which I 
do not understand. I suppose the people of that 
part of Ireland visit this place and perform the 
Stations yet as they did when I was there. 

The next morning after I made this promise 
to the Lord I could get about just as well as 
ever, The reader may say what he please about 
this, but certainly I was restored, and I am 
thankful to God for it; and I know there is no 


6 SKETCH OF 


one that has more right to be thankful to Him 
than I have. I never expect to forget it. There 
is not a gift I ever asked of God but what He 
granted. I have been into many narrow places, 
although I have got out of them. 

When I was restored, in March, 1875, I started 
peddling once more, traveled until May; then I 
went North to see some of my friends that lived 
around Scranton. Pa. and Carbondale, Pa., also 
I met up with Miss Nannie Crowley, whose way 
I had paid over to this country in 1872. At one 
time I thought Miss Crowley and I would get 
married. She was a widow at this time; she 
had one child—a boy, I think. I wish I could 
meet up with her at this time, as I am a widower . 
now. I may meet up with her some day yet, for 
I think we loved each other. When we were 
both in Ireland, she lived in Killala and I at 
Greenwood, about four miles away. I wish her 
well wherever she is. 

I was getting ready to go to Ireland at this 
time, so I went on to New York to see some 
friends who were living there, before I sailed 
for the old country. 

About the ist of June, 1875, I went on board 
The Abyssina, of the Cunard Line; she. sailed 
from New York for Queenstown, Ireland, and 
Liverpool, England. I landed in Queenstown. 
I got to Ballina, which is six miles away from 
my father’s home, on June 20, 1875. I met my 
father in Ballina, as it: was Fair Day at Ard-— 
naree. I got home in a short time to see my 
mother, who was the dearest one on earth to 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. i 


me at that time. -I had lots of visitors to see 
me, aS I had been away for over four years from 
Ireland. At that time I did not let many know 
what had brought me back, but I never forgot 
what I had come to Ireland for. I performed 
the Stations as I had promised our Lord before 
I left America. 

I intended to come back to America in the 
fall, as the winter season was the best time to 
sell goods. I had one younger brother whom I 
had left in America; he was only a few years 
out, 

A neighbor of ours by the name of Anthony 
Burke died in the month of August. His son 
Patrick was living in England and was on the 
police force there. He had not been home in 
about four years; they all wanted to see him. 
He had four sisters. I wired to him about his 
father’s death and for him to come to Ireland. 
He got home the day his father was buried. I 
was glad to see him, for we had been in school 
together when we were boys. He had fifteen 
days off. He wanted me to go over to England 
with him; I told him I would go in a few weeks . 
and take a pair of horses with me. I+ bought 
one horse from Harry McHale, of Ballymachola, 
and the other one from John Crigg, of Low- 
“yally. I paid about $200.00 for the one I got 
_- from Mr. McHale, and for the one I got from 
Mr. Crigg, $125.00. 

In a few weeks I started for England. I 
took the train at Ballina for Dublin, at Dublin 
I took the steamer for Liverpool; was on the 


8 SKETCH OF 


water for twelve hours. After landing in Liver- 
pool I started up through Hngland to Manches- 
ter—riding one horse and leading the other. 
When I reached Manchester, which is about 
thirty-six miles from Liverpool, I was offered a 
fair price for one of them, but did not want to 
sell until I got to Mr. Burke’s, which was still 
one hundred miles further up in Hngland. Mr. 
Burke was stationed as police in a country place. 

I got to Mr. Burke’s all right, and thought I 
would rest, also let the horses rest before I 
offered them for sale. In the meantime I got 
acquainted with a girl by the name of Miss 
Ellen Burke; she was not any relation of Police- 
man Burke, as she was Hnglish by birth and he 
was Irish. She lived in the town of Newport, 
Staffordshire, England, which place was six 
miles from where Mr. Burke was stationed. 

I proposed to Miss Burke to get married. We 
were getting along all right until I spoke of go- 
ing to America. We differed somewhat as to 
where we would make our home; she had good 
property at Newport, but I wanted to come to 
America as I had some property at this time in 
Marion, 8. C. At last she agreed to come to 
America with me and stay a few years and then 
return to Hngland. 

Then I went to Wolverhampton to the horse 
market and sold one of my horses at a fair 
price. I then went back to Newport and sold 
the other one. 

On one Sunday afternoon Patrick Burke and 
myself were at Newport at Miss Burke’s house. 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. 9 


Miss Burke insisted on me staying all night at 
her house, so I told Mr.- Burke I would not re- 
turn with him. J think this was about October 
1, Miss Burke and I were enjoying ourselves 
just as good as anyone could enjoy themselves. 
She told me to go and visit the graveyard, which 
was one mile outside of town, and when I re- 
turned she would be at Phasen’s Hotel waiting 
for me. So I went to the graveyard—the sun 
was about one-half hour high. There I saw, I 
thought, the most people I had ever seen at one 
time, most of them were women and children. 
When I returned to town the sun was down 
and I could see no one. I came to Phasen’s 
Hotel—it was about dark then and I could see 
no one there—the door was open. At last Miss 
Burke put her head out of the second story 
window and invited me upstairs. I went up, but 
never could find her. There was not a room that 
I went in but what I would find something on a 
table in the center of the room—apples, shoes, 
hats or clothing. I stopped all night at the 
hotel. Whenever I would go outside, she would 
come to the window and talk to me on the 
ground; she fooled me several times during the 
night, but whenever I went inside, she was not 
to be found. We never saw anyone else during 
the whole night, 
About 4 o’clock in the morning I told her I 
would go to Mr. Burke’s. When I had gone only 
a few blocks from the hotel I met a man; he 
called me to come with him in an alleyway, 
where he gave me a drink—it was not yet day— 


10 SKETCH OF 


I cannot tell what it was, it did not taste like 
whiskey. He told me to drink that, for I had 
a bird in a cage and that I needed that. I 
think it did me good. 

Early in the morning I got out to Mr. Burke’s. 
Mrs. Burke had started breakfast. I went up- 
stairs, thinking that I could sleep, as I had not 
slept any that night. I was not upstairs many 
minutes until I heard a carriage come up and. 
stop and the driver called Mrs. Burke: “Has he 
come?’ I was lying on the bed upstairs at this 
time. I heard Mrs. Burke answer him, saying, 
“Yes, he has gone upstairs to bed.” I knew then 
it was me that she meant. I looked around the 
room and found a book on a table—it was broad 
daylight by that time—I took the book and 
started to read; did not read much until I had 
to put on my clothes and go downstairs. Break- 
fast was about ready now. I ate breakfast and 
started out with Mr. Burke. Since first I went 
to Mr. Burke’s I always went with him on his 
rounds eyery morning; this morning I went 
with him as usual. We had not gone very far, 
scarcely a mile, before a rabbit jumped up from 
under my feet, it was in a country place. I, like 
a fool, runs after the rabbit like a fool would 
do, and Burke he, like another fool, runs too. 
Sometimes we would almost have him hemmed 
up, but he would get away every time. At last 
Mr. Burke got close to me and took from his 
pocket a pair of handcuffs and put them on me. 
The handcuffs just fitted me as though they had 
been made by order; they were the first I 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. plats 


ever had on. He took me to Hecleshire, which 
was about three miles to Sergeant Hall, and 
locked me up in jail. There I remained over 
night. . Next morning Sergeant Hall and Mr. 
Burke took me to Stafford Asylum, which was 
twelve miles away. We went in a two-horse 
carriage. I was handcuffed again when we got 
near Stafford; then it got so dark that the 
horses refused to travel. I heard Sergeant Hall 
tell Mr. Burke that he would have to take the 
handcuffs off of me or they could not get through 
to the asylum, so Burke took the handcuffs 
off, and Sergeant Hall told me to stand up 
in the carriage and open my hands; I did as he 
told me, and then the light opened up like a 
flash of lightning, and the horses. started. I 
remember everything just as good as if it had 
happened only yesterday, although it is over 
thirty years ago. In fact, I have forgotten noth- 
ing since I was two years old. Burke and Hall, 
if they are living, will tell you the same thing. 
This is well known in England, for there were 
several other things happened at the same time, 
of which I will not write as it is well recorded. 

I spent six weeks in Stafford Asylum. This 
was the first time I was ever in one, so I do not 
remember much about it; but well do I remem- 
ber what happened the first night: I turned my 
chamber pot inside out—it was made of rubber— 
the handle was on the inside next morning. When 
‘the keeper, or my attendant, saw it he asked 
me what I did that for. I told him the trouble 
I got into with Miss Burke at Newport. He 


+2 SKETCH OF 


told me never to marry that girl; that I had 
done something that no one had ever done, nor 
no one would ever do again, and that I would 
go to Paradise. This is recorded in Stafford 
Asylum, and are true and solid facts. 

My father had heard that I was in the Staf- 
ford Asylum. In about six weeks he came from 
-Treland. He went to Newport before he came to 
see me and heard all about Miss Burke and my- 
self, also went to see her before he came to 
Stafford. Policeman Burke came along with 
him to the asylum. I was released as soon as 
they came, and we all went back to Newport to 
see Miss Burke. My father wanted me to marry 
her, but I had now made up my mind to never 
marry until I came back to America; so I parted 
with Miss Burke that evening. Took the train 
for Holyhead in Wales, at Holyhead we took 
the boat for Dublin, Ireland, where we landed 
next morning at 5 o’clock; stopped all that day 
in Dublin, left Dublin that night about 9 o’clock 
for Ballina, we got to Ballina about 4 o’clock 
next morning. I left my father in Ballina. It 
always seemed to me that I could get along so 
much better when I was by myself. I traveled 
a great deal at night. 

I was out ten days before I was taken again. 
I went home to see my parents once during that 
time, but only stopped there a few hours. I 
will not state here who I used to travel with, 
but I always had plenty of company, and no one 
ever troubled me. By and by the whole world 
will find it out. There are two graveyards that 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. ; 138 


know it—one at home in- Ireland, and one in 
North Carolina, in Johnston County, about 
twenty-five miles from Raleigh. I will not say 
much about those graveyards at present, later 
on the people will find out what this means. 

Again I was caught about twelve miles from 
where my parents lived in Greenwood. I was 
taken to Ballina. Barracks; kept there over 
night. Next day I was transferred to Castlebar 
Asylum, County Mayo, Ireland. This was close 
to Christmas, 1875. I remained in Castlebar 
until about September 1, 1876, when I was re- 
stored once more and got my liberty. 

My brother Patrick, who I had left in Amer- 
ica, had come home to Ireland at this time. 
Brother Peter, who was my parents’ youngest 
child, was in England, working for William 
Cook, where I had worked in ’68 and ’69. My 
brother Patrick worked there in ’70. He sent 
for brother Peter, and he came home to Ireland. 

In one week after I was released from Castle- 
bar Asylum, Brother Peter and I started for 
America. We went to Salisbury, N. C., as I had 
an Irish blackbird which:I had brought from 
Ireland to John Buis. This was in the Fall of 
1876. 

When we landed in New York, before going 
South, I went to Brice & Johnson, 156 Bowery, 
and ordered goods, to be shipped to Salisbury. 
Brice & Johnson made no delay in shipping the 
goods. As soon they came I started out to sell 
them. I think I ordered about $100.00 worth to 
start on. Brother Peter and I started on foot 


14 SKETCH OF 


from Salisbury for Randolph County. We trav- 
eled together for about a month. By this time 
we had sold out. We went back to Salisbury. 
IT started to make money again. If anyone could 
sell goods I could sell some, too; it was a hard 
matter to find one to beat me selling goods. 
That is not for me to boast of, for I certainly 
was lucky in all my undertakings. 

We left Salisbury and went farther South for 
the winter—went to South Carolina. Neither of 
us had license at this time to travel and sell 
goods. 

We left Marion, 8. C., for Lumberton, N. C. 
My brother and I used to part at this time every 
Monday and meet again on Saturday. On my 
route from Marion, 8. C., to Lumberton, N. C., 
I went through Columbus County (N. C.) and 
met Sheriff Haines and took out license for Co- 
lumbus County for six months. I went on to 
Lumberton and met my brother and told him 
that he had better go on up about Salisbury, 
that I had taken out license for Columbus 
County and would go back there, Here we 
parted. While I was in Columbus County I 
ordered goods to Whitesville. Certainly it was 
a good county to sell goods in; the people all 
seemed to be so kind and hospitable. This was 
in February, 1877. I stayed in Columbus County =~ 
until I went to Charlotte, N. C., to meet my 
cousin, James Gainley, whom I had not seen since ~ 
I went over to Ireland in ’75. I spent a. few | a 
days in Charlotte with Cousin. ieee then we uae 
both went to Hickory, N. C. This was the first 2 





MICHAEL COSGROVE. * aL ey 


time that I had traveled in the mountains in 
North Carolina, We left there and went to 
HKastern Carolina. 

In June I got married to Hliza Flynn, who 
lived in Johnston County. Her parents came 
from Ireland; I think they came from Kings 
County, near Dublin. After we were married 
I bought a house and lot at Wilsons Mills, John- 
ston County, moved to it, but I kept peddling 
all the time and made a comfortable living. 

I think it was the Christmas of ’83 that I got 
off again by some means or other I could never 
understand. Willis Parker, who was a black- 
smith, swore that I was going to burn up my 
own house, I know that was a lie; I never in- 
tended to injure anyone, and least of all myself. 
I was taken to Smithfield jail; John Brinkley 
‘took me in my own horse and buggy. I remained 
in Smithfield jail until March, 1884. My wife 
and three children lived at Wilsons Mills. My 
wife came to visit me several times at Smith- 
field. I asked her did she have anything to do 
with haying me put in jail. The answer she 
made me was this, “that she wished the people 
would let me alone.” I told her to go back home 
and take eare of those three children; that by 
and by I would have it just as hot for those 
parties as they had it cold for me. 

In March I was transferred to Raleigh. Dr. 
Grissom was in charge at this time; John 
Thompson was steward. I soon went on the 
- outside to work, was going at large most of my 
time, but could not see that I got any better. 


16 . SKETCH OF 


My wife, also my father who was living with us 
then, came to see me several times. 

Ever since I came to America I have spent a 
few years in the asylum. One evening I took 
French leave and walked off down to see my 
wife and children. They had now moved away 
from Wilsons Mills over on part of her father’s 
land; he had died and left her nearly one hun- 
dred acres to her part. This place is about four 
miles from Wilsons Mills. One of my daughters, 
who is married, is living on the place now. When 
I went to see them I spent one week. My wife 
wanted me to come home to stay, but Dr. Gris- 
som would never agree for me to go. I could 
not be cured as there was nothing the matter 
with me, and where there is no ailment no cure 
is needed. I have suffered punishment for other 
people’s work, but I hope that by. and by every 
one will have all that is coming to them. 

In a few months after this I went home again. 
Dr. Grissom sent the sheriff after me in a week 
or so. Finally Dr. Grissom gave his consent to 
let me home on bond, as he knew he could never 
cure me, for there was nothing ailing me. He 
was not the only doctor who did not understand 
me; my whole life has been a mystery to many 
of them, and it is just the same to this day. 

William Woollcott and John Walker went on 
my bond; these gentlemen lived in Raleigh. So 
I was released once more and went to work to 
support my wife and children. I made a good, 
comfortable living—working on the farm in the 
summer and peddling in the winter. 

Now, by this time, two more children had been 








MICHAEL COSGROVE. ae 


born to us—making five in all. Then we moved 
to Selma, N. C., so I could send the children to 
school. I rented out my farm to Stephen Bar- 
ham. I had a store, my brother Peter attending 
to it while I peddled. We lived at Selma about 
one year, where our baby was born— James 
Michael; he is now in St. Louis, living with his 
Aunt Cecilia, my only sister. He goes to school 
in St. Mary’s Jesuit College, St. Marys. Kansas, 
and is only in St. Louis during his vacation. 

We then moved to Durham. Had six children 
now—three boys and three girls. The oldest of 
the children went to work in Dirham, and the 
smaller ones, that were old enough, went to 
school. I kept on peddling through the country, 
but would come home to Durham every Satur- 
day. We were getting along all right. We 
moved to Durham in June, and in a few weeks 
before the following Christmas I got off again 
and was put in the Durham jail. I was kept 
there a few weeks and was then transferred to | 
Morganton, N. C., to the asylum there. Here I 
was confined for about fifteen months. Dr. 
Murphy, who has since died, was in charge. He 
was the only one that came near understanding 
my trouble. My wife and six children lived at 
Durham during my stay at Morganton. 

In the month of March, 1896, I went back to 
Durham. My wife and children were overjoyed 
that I had been restored to them once more. 

I started peddling once more, got license for 
Granville County, but’ came back to Durham 
almost every Saturday. My family took the 
_ measles, and my wife died in June. Then I did 


18 SKETCH OF 


not know what to do. My wife’s sister, a widow 
lady, lived next door to me; she had two 
daughters—Annie and Katie Ray; so I sent 
four of my children to live with their aunt.. My 
oldest boy went to Johnston County and worked 
with Irving Murphy on the farm; my youngest 
girl I sent to the Catholic Orphanage at Bel- 
mont, N. C. (Gaston County, twelve miles from 
Charlotte), where she is at this writing, almost 
a grown young woman. All my children have 
got homes and are doing well. Two of my 
daughters are married and have good husbands. 
I trust in God that I will see them all before 
long. Two of my children are in St. Louis, Mo., 
at this writing—my oldest daughters, Mary, and 
my youngest son, Michael. Two boys and two 
girls are in North Carolina. 

I have peddled ever since I lost my wife, until 
about five years ago. I went to work for Father 
Price, at Nazareth (near Raleigh), N. C.; also 
earried the mail from Nazareth to Method, N. C. 

About three years ago last July I got off again 
and was put in jail at Raleigh, N. C., on Sat- 
urday and remained there until the following 
Tuesday, when I was transferred to Dix Hill 
State Asylum, where I am writing this little 
sketch of my life. I am under the care of Dr. 
McKee, who is in charge of the institution. I 
am hoping that I will be restored again before 
many days as I want to see my old friends once 
more, of whom I have a great number, 

This is the 10th day of January, 1906. I ex- 
pect to write a few more pages as soon as I 
am released from here. 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. Ag 


DIX HILL STATE HOSPITAL, 


woe 


RALEIGH, N. C. 
February 16, 1906. 

Once more I thought I would write, as I have 
nothing else to do, although I have not been 
released up to this date. 

I am still waiting for my discharge from the 
doctor, which I hope and trust in God will be 
granted in a short time. I do not want to leave 
here until I get everything solid and safe for 
the future. JI know that all things works for 
the best. In’ God I trust. I am here in the 
midst of my friends, but my friends are power- 
less to do me any good in a place like this. 

My life has been, and is now, a mystery to the 
whole world; it is also a mystery to myself—to 
be about fifty-five years old, and yet I feel as 
though I am only in my childhood, is something 
I nor no one else understands. I am happy all 
the time; it is my wish and my desire that all 
people should enjoy the same pleasure. 

There is no mistake. But God’s will must and 
will be done on earth as it is in heaven. The 
man, woman or child who believes in me has ° 
the same power as me. We are all God’s crea- 
tures, composed of body and soul and made to 
the image and likeness of Him. 


In Christ I talk; 
“In Rome I walk. 


I was baptized when I was an infant in the 
Roman Catholic Church; also my wife, Eliza 


20 SKETCH OF 


Flynn, was a Catholic; she was baptized when 
she was an infant, as her parents were Catho- 
lics, After we were married we both were con- 
firmed by Bishop Kane, of Richmond, Va. I 
hold fast to the faith of our fathers, but do not 
envy anyone on account of his faith. I fully 
believe that there are good people in all churches, 
as it is the Spirit of Christ after all that rules. 
There is no salyation outside the Church of 
Rome (be careful to learn what this means) ; all » 
churches must take her for their mother. I 
never argue religion with anyone, for religion is 
a free gift from God and there is no mistake that 
everyone will be rewarded according to the deeds 
done. I know that God is love. Later on, peo- 
ple will find out their mistake, and when people 
whip themselves at their own game they have 
no one to blame but themselves, for this is the 
best whipping that a man or woman ever got. 

I remain yours truly in Christ, but my spirit 
is all over the world; my body is here living at 
Dix Hill. 


MiIcHAEL COSGROVE. DN ves 


DIX HILL STATE HOSPITAL, 


RALEIGH, N. C. 
March 23, 1906. 


Once more I take the liberty to write a little 
more about myself. The following consists 
chiefly about my experiences at Dix Hill Hos- 
pital. 

I am here now about four years. As far as I 
can see, I do not get any better. The first year 
that I was here I worked out on the farm along 
with the rest of the patients. The second year 
I drove the trash wagon. The third year I 
milked the cows. Now, I have an inside job, and 
hope to obtain my liberty before long. I enjoy 
myself the best I can. 

I do not understand why the doctor is keeping 
me here so long. I hope and trust in God I will 
not die here. As far as I can see, it is a trying 
time all over the world between God and the 
Devil. I think it will last forever. 

Some claim that one religion is as good as 
another. As for me, I do not persecute anyone 
for his religion; but that is what I am perse- 
euted for; but then that is no wonder, for our 
fathers were presecuted for their faith. Christ 
said, “He who denies me before men on earth 
I will also deny him before my Father Who is in 
heaven.” Raise up a child when he is young, 
and when he is old he will not depart from it 
(in the Catholic Church.) 


22 SKETCH OF 


Now, I claim no power in myself, but all 
power is worked through me, and the one that 
believes in me has just the same power that I 
have; it makes no difference whether he or she 
is black or white, rich or poor, old or young, 
for we are all God’s creatures, composed of body 
and soul and made to the image and likeness of 
Him. 

I can stand the Devil, but the Devil cannot 
stand me; therefore, I have power over him. 
That is, power that God has given me. I gain 
more power every day, both on land and sea. 

There is only one way to whip the Devil, and 
that is by prayer; but he will bear watching 
until he whips himself at his own game; by and 
by he will do it, for he will never surrender 
until his head comes off; so when anyone whips 
themselves they have no one to blame but them- 
selves. 

I like the Devil and he likes me, but he does 
not like my ways, neither do I like his ways, so 
there is no love lost between us. I rebel against 
him and he rebels against me. He says his 
blood is too rich to come under, and I know my 
spirit is too pure to obey him. I will obey the 
laws of the land, as they are founded on the 
laws of God; the laws of man are founded on 
the laws of the Devil; them I will put under 
my feet. 

I am persecuted for telling the truth, while 
others make a good living making and telling 
lies. The difference between my ways and the 
ways of the Devil are these: His ways are: 


MICHAEL COSGROVE. 23 


lying, spying, envy, hatred and malice. He is 
guilty of the seven deadly sins, which are: Pride, 
covetousness, lust, anger, envy, hatred and 
malice; and by and by they will take him home 
to hell. 

My wish is different. Mine are: Joy, pleasure, 
happiness and good will to all, love, peace and 
enjoyment. Love God above all, and your neigh- 
bor as yourself for the love of God. Christ said 
in the Lord’s Prayer, that it would be done on 
earth as it is in heaven. I say, it must be done. 
So we. must have heaven and earth to fulfill 
Christ’s wish. There is plenty of room for im- 
provement, and will be a thousand years from 
now. I cannot understand how anyone that be- 
lieves in the Lord’s Prayer will go to hell. 


24 SKETCH OF MICHAEL COSGROVE. 


DIX HILL STATE HOSPITAL, 
RALEIGH, N. C. 
June 15, 1906. 


I will once more write a few lines. I thought 
when I last wrote, that I would be away from 
here by this time, but I see that my business 
keeps me here yet. 

It is a mystery and an impossibility for me or 
anyone else to understand the ways of the 
Devil; but I know one thing, I can stand the 
Deyil and he cannot stand me. I am enabled to 
stand by the strength that God gives me from 
heaven. 

Saint and sinner are here all together now, 
but by and by they will be separated—the goats 
will go one way and the sheep another. There 
will no sinner go nor enter where I go. As one 
makes his bed so shall he lie. 

Now the longer I stop here the better I like it, 
and I don’t see how I can leave here as long as 
the doctors will let me stay. I am happy all the 
time here among my friends; some of them have 
been here for over twenty years. I trust in God 
that all of us will get our liberty in the near 
future and live in peace, joy and happiness, as 
I know that is God’s wish, and His wish will be 
carried out. I am at liberty every Sunday for 
the last two years to go to Mass over at Naza- 
reth, which is only a mile from here, where 
there is a Catholic Church, which I enjoy very 
much to go to. 

MICHAEL COSGROVE. 








